Senate adopts tougher Iran sanctions

After a public spat last week, Senate Democrats and Republicans reached a deal Monday and unanimously passed tougher economic sanctions aimed at deterring Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The legislation still needs to be reconciled with a version passed by the House last December. But the Senate’s action sends a forceful word to Tehran just days before six world powers hold talks with Iran in Baghdad to discuss the country’s nuclear program.

Text Size

-

+

reset

“It’s another step toward sending a message to Iran that we mean business and that we’re not interested in more irresponsible nuclear powers,” Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby, the ranking member of the Banking Committee, which has jurisdiction over the sanctions bill, told POLITICO.

“The sanctions are already hurting and tightening,” he said, “and this will tighten them a little more.”

The revised bill resolved an internal GOP dispute between tea party isolationists and defense hawks who stalled the legislation late last week.

It includes a provision from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) that states nothing in the bill shall be interpreted to be a declaration of war or an authorization of military force against Iran or Syria.

But it also includes new, tougher language from Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.), Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and others that the U.S. can urge Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program through a combination of sanctions, diplomacy and also military planning — an objective consistent with President Barack Obama’s remarks that “no options are off the table.”

Paul said he didn’t believe the two provisions conflicted with one another.

“They make it a more complete message. They reinforce the Constitution. They say you have to vote before you go to war,” he told POLITICO. “I think this is a big step forward that we got our language included.”

The package also strengthens sanctions targeting Iran’s oil sector and imposes sanctions against firms that provide Iran with technologies to commit human-rights abuses or carry out censorship.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he was pleased the Senate resolved its differences. But the GOP rift had handed Democrats a brief opening to portray Republicans as soft on the rogue nation, and Reid exploited the opportunity earlier Monday as he opened the legislative session.

“Republican obstruction and infighting have also stalled critical new sanctions against Iran.” Reid said on the Senate floor.

“We cannot afford any more delays to putting stronger sanctions in place. I am hopeful my Republican colleagues will realize how important it is to advance these measures and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

Democrats had hoped to pass the sanctions bill before Wednesday, when six world powers — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany — hold nuclear talks with Iran in Baghdad.

The six nations are urging Iran to curb its nuclear program amid worries the Islamic republic is trying to develop an atomic weapon. Tehran, however, insists it is enriching uranium for the purpose of creating nuclear energy.

At the NATO summit in Chicago, leaders issued a joint statement Monday expressing concerns with Iran’s nuclear program and called on the Middle East nation to comply with demands from the international community. The leaders also said they back a diplomatic approach, including the P5+1 talks, in dealing with the Iranian nuclear threat.

Readers' Comments (9)

Why exactly are we putting these sanctions on Iran and who requested this to be done?! OH, the Jews!! Is the rogue Zionists entity our 51st state ? Who died and made them the boss of this country? When did we vote on that, I really like to know!! Why do they have over 200 nuclear weapons? Why don't they allow the IAEA to inspect their nuclear program and facilities?! Why do we have to put up with their arm twisting and lies?

EstherHaman Party: Liberal Reply #1 May. 21, 2012 - 8:33 PM EST Why exactly are we putting these sanctions on Iran and who requested this to be done?! OH, the Jews!! Is the rogue Zionists entity our 51st state ? Who died and made them the boss of this country? When did we vote on that, I really like to know!! Why do they have over 200 nuclear weapons? Why don't they allow the IAEA to inspect their nuclear program and facilities?! Why do we have to put up with their arm twisting and lies?

Get real

Why exactly are we putting these sanctions on Iran? (POLITICS) and who requested this to be done?! OH, the Jews!! Is the rogue Zionists entity our 51st state ?(NO POLITICIANS FROM ALL 50 STATES) Who died and made them the boss of this country?(THEY ARE NOT, POLITICIANS ARE) When did we vote on that, I really like to know!! (IF WE ALL DID VOTE THINGS WOULD NOT BE WHAT THEY ARE TODAY). Why don't they allow the IAEA to inspect their nuclear program and facilities?! Why do we have to put up with their arm twisting and lies? (POLITICS & POLITICIANS)

Hilary is going to make another run at the white house after Obama's second term and she will win. Dems got it going on. Republicans are in pieces. First black president and then first women . America is on the mend since the majority threw out the depression starters. You go girl